On June 23, farmers and producers, chefs and restaurateurs, retailers and exhibitors will gather along with members of the community on the grounds of Ignatius Jesuit Centre for taste•real’s 8th Annual Local Food Fest – a yearly celebration of the diversity and abundance of local food in and around Guelph and Wellington County.
The theme for this year’s Local Food Fest is “The Fixin’s and the Feast” and was chosen to showcase all of the various ingredients that go into putting more local food on the table, from the hard work of our farmers and producers to the skills needed to grow and prepare great tasting food at home.
The event combines all of the fixin’s needed for a Sunday afternoon feast. Everyone is invited to bring along their shopping baskets and picnic blankets to enjoy an al fresco meal together using items purchased directly from farmers, as well as prepared food vendors.
Featuring a local farmers’ market, hands-on skill building workshops, and live cooking demos taught by some of the region’s best chefs, the Local Food Fest aims to provide the local community with everything they need to start prepare feasts at home using local ingredients.
Wellington Brewery, F&M Brewery, Spearhead Brewery, Grand River Brewery, and Neustadt Springs will be offering samples of their fine craft brews, while Cox Creek Cellars and Carrick Wines pour their sweet Ontario wines. Spirit Tree Cidery will also be serving samples of their bright hard apple cider. Patrons 19 years or older interested in sampling will be required to purchase a sampling wristband at the gate. Details can be found at tastereal.ca.
Non-alcoholic drinks will also be served.
The Local Food Fest is a family event with activities for people of all ages with live musical performances. Admissions are by minimum donation of $2.50 per person or $5 per family.
The Guelph Wellington Food Round Table’s food security networking session will be taking place throughout the day at the Local Food Fest.
For a list of activities and vendors taking part in the event, visit www.tastereal.ca/fest.
